August 24, 2014
A Brisbane jury hearing a charge of attempted murder against a Wattle Camp woman has been discharged after not being able to reach a verdict.
The trial of Kay Te Atarangi Lyons, 55, began in the Brisbane Supreme Court last Monday.
The jury retired to consider its verdict at lunchtime on Thursday.
The Crown case was that Lyons had struck her husband, David, 67, on the head with a hammer “four or five times” while telling him she wanted him to die. The couple had been married for 37 years.
The Crown alleged the attack occurred after he discovered she had “maxed out” a credit card.
Lyons pleaded not guilty to attempted murder; an attempt by her to plead guilty to a lesser charge was earlier rejected by the Crown.
On Friday afternoon, the jury foreman told Chief Justice Tim Carmody they were deadlocked and could not reach a verdict.
Justice Carmody said he had no alternative but to discharge the jury.
The Crown is expected to apply for a date for a re-trial.
UPDATE August 25: The charge has been adjourned for mention on September 12. Lyons has been remanded in custody.
